Read below to find our staff picks for April 2024 and learn more about these must-reads!
This is Me Trying
By Racquel Marie
On Sale April 16th
Ages 14-18
“This Is Me Trying is a quiet book that brims with fiery emotions. Through alternating points of view, Racquel Marie highlights that there is no right way to handle grief, nor an easy way, as Beatriz and Santiago come to terms with the death of their friend. Even though the topics of loss and guilt can be difficult to read, I was immediately pulled into the complexity of Bea and Santiago’s characters. Bea is angry and closed-off, with no room to let anyone else into her life; Santiago, on the other hand, is quieter, but his previous decision to end his friendship with Bea without an explanation does not go unnoticed. Although reconnecting as friends did not go smoothly at first, I appreciated diving deeper into Bea and Santiago’s hidden struggles and unprocessed emotions. Bold, beautiful, and tender, This Is Me Trying is an unforgettable YA contemporary for readers who enjoy reflective novels about friendship, pain, and personal growth.” – Elise Damasco, MCPG Intern
Thirsty
By Jas Hammonds
On Sale May 14th
Ages 14-18
“On the surface, Thirsty is a book about alcohol, but to me, at its core, this is a book about the things we do to fill our own voids. And what Jas Hammonds brilliantly depicts via Blake, Nettie, and the other fully drawn characters in this riveting follow-up to the much-acclaimed We Deserve Monuments is that at the end of the day, every single one of us is thirsty.” – Molly Ellis, VP, Executive Director of Publicity
Greta
By J. S. Lemon
On Sale September 9th
Ages 10-14
“Greta by J.S. Lemon is transformational in a way I’ve never read in middle grade. Greta is one of the strongest heroines I’ve met and her transformation over the course of the book into a moth was surprising and beautiful to behold. This book delves into discussion-worthy themes of sexual assault and bodily autonomy and does so with great care. And somehow, amazingly, Greta is filled with warmth and humor, driving home that even during life’s greatest, most challenging transformations, there is light to be found.” – Mary Van Akin, Director of School & Library Marketing
